AfterDawn: News

Acer decides to hold back on e-book reader

Acer has decided to halt its efforts to develop and market an e-book reader to compete with Amazon's Kindle, Sony Readers and now, Apple's iPad. The company only revealed last month that it was working on an e-book reader with the intention to launch in mid-year, but has had a change of heart and now would prefer to sit back and watch how the market develops first, Acer chairman Wang Jeng-tang said.

He said that the hardware is standing by, just in case the market does prove to be successful. Jeng-tang said that the question is whether or not e-book readers can break away from their current niche market and into the mainstream. Until consumers clearly display that they are willing to open their wallets to buy e-book readers, Acer does not see the business as being profitable.



The head of Acer's IT Products division, Jim Wong, revealed its efforts and intentions for an e-book reader in late January, but at the time did hint that Acer might adjust its product line-up based on what new device Apple would bring to the market this year. Just six days later, Apple launched the iPad, which the company asserts is a perfect solution for e-books.

Written by: James Delahunty @ 23 Feb 2010 18:53

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• 2 comments

• bmlshane

  This looks like it will develop like most innovative technology, expensive at first, a niche market, slowly developing, then when it develops enough, demand increases, improvements in design and manufacture bring the price down, becomes a "must Have", then eventually becomes commonplace. Presently, these readers will hold the equivalent of many books, will reduce the need for home libraries,newspapers, and printed matter will become less. It will be like mobile phones, (cell phones).Very commonplace.

  25.2.2010 06:18 #1

• Tarsellis

  Good! Acer has, by far, the WORST support I've EVER experienced. Even going out of their way to make sure to reply with form letters and remove drivers and manuals.
  
  As for dedicated e-book readers, I still haven't seen one I would spend a nickel or, or even use if given for free.
  Until they include automatic wireless updating (i.e. subscription to pop. sci. or news paper), and a physically flexible medium, and proof that they can't reach in and remove your data, I'm just not interested.

  25.2.2010 13:05 #2